Pad for a massage device



1955 L. J. WAHL 2,723,662

PAD FOR A MASSAGE DEVICE Filed April 1, 1953 4 60 I Zl/ZIEZ.

United States PatentO PAD FOR A MASSAGE DEVICE Leo J. Wahl, Sterling, ml, assigiior w Wahl Clipper Corpor'ation, Sterling, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application April 1 1953 Serial No. 346,107 4' claims: on. 128- 67 My invention relates to a vibratory massage device, and particularly 'to the combination of a massage device and a detachable padtherefor. In one aspect, the invention also relates to the pad alone.

The massage device to which the invention relates is commonly called a hand vibrator. It is 'a mechanism adapted to be strapped to the back of an operators' hand, and it contains a motor means which produces vibratory action. This action is communic'ated'to the hand which in turn is applied to parts of the body requiring massage.

In massage devices of this character it is necessary to cover the base of the device with a resilient cushion or pad for the purpose of protecting the back or the operators hand. Such a pad usually is made of rubber or some other resilient material. In view of "the vibrafofy action of the device, the. pad must be associated with the device in a secure manner. Further, since the pad becomes soiled and eventually wears out with extended use,- itis desirable to mount the pad in a detachable mariner so that it is readily removable for cleaning or replacement.

One object of my invention, therefore, is to provide a massage device which has an easily detachable pad.

Another object is to provide a detachable pad which is of molded construction and which can be constructed at extremely low cost.

Another object is to provide a massage device with modifications adapted to accommodate my new pad, such modifications entailing no appreciable expense in the construction of the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination of massage device and detachable pad wherein the hand straps of the massage device perform the dual functions of holding the device on the back of the hand and pinning the pad to the device in a detachable manner.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a massage device and detachable pad combination which are constructed and can be assembled in such manner as to produce substantial advantages and savings from the standpoint of production.

Other objects, advantages and details of my invention will be apparent as the description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawing which illustartes one physical embodiment of the invention. It is to be undersood that the description and drawing are illustrative only, and that such changes in the embodiment here shown may be made as come within the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a view in side elevation, partly in section, of a massage device embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top view on one side of the longitudinal center line of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are sectional views taken respectively on lines 3, 4 and 5 of Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. l, a massage device generally designated 8 has a lower part or base 9. The casing of the 2,723,662 Patented Nov. 15, 1955 device 8 and base 9 preferably are made of molded plastic material.

The actuating mechanism within the device forms no part of this invention, and, accordingly, it is neither illustrated nor described.

Base 9, in the form of the invention illustrated, is generally rectangular in shape, and it is provided with one or more lateral flanges extending from the margin thereof generally flush with the bottom of the base. The illustrated device has four such lateral flanges, a pair of flanges 10 and 11 extending from each long side of base 9, one near one end and one near the other. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, flange 10 is near the forward end of base 9 and flange 11 is near the rearward end.

Base 9 of thedevice is substantially symmetrical on the longitudinal center line 12 (Fig. 2). Therefore, the structure on only one side of the center line will be described in detail.

The lateral flange or flanges on base 9, such as flanges 10 and 11, are provided with one or more apertures 14 (Fig. 1) near the marginal edge. As illustrated, flanges 10 and 11 each have two such apertures 14. While apertures 14 are illustrated as holes, it is apparent that slots extending inwardly from the flange edge are equally effective. Therefore, the term aperture is intended to refer to both such arrangements.

A pad 16 of resilient material, such as an elastomer, for example, rubber,'Vinylite, or the like, covers the bottom of base 9. Pad 16 has an integral upstanding marginal flange 17 which embraces the lower edge portion of base 9. Flange 17 may extend all or part Way around the margin of pad 16. r

Ineffective relation with base flanges 10 and 11, marginal flange 17 is provided at the top with lateral flanges 18 and 19 which extend inwardly and respectively overlie base flanges 10 and 11. The flanges 18 and 19 are normal to the flange 17, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5.

Pad 16 and the lateral or normal flanges 18 and 19 thereof are respectively provided with apertures 22 and 23 which are in alignment with apertures 14 of the base flanges, as shown in the sectioned portion of Fig. 1.

From the description so far, it will be seen that base 9 is provided With one or more lateral flanges at its margin. A pad 16 is applied to base 9, and integral flanges 18 and 19 of the pad overlie the base flanges to initially secure the pad in place. Such a pad is easily applied to and detached from base 9.

Pad 16 is fixed to base 9 in a detachable manner by pin means which pass through the aligned apertures 14, 22 and 23 of the pad and the base flanges. In one aspect of the invention, such pin means might take the form of a headed screw passing through aperture 23 of the pad and threaded into the base flange Within aperture 14. Removal of such screw or screws enables the pad to be detached readily by simply bending it away from the base flange.

In the form of the invention shown, flexible hand straps 25 have the dual functions of holding the device on the operators hand and of securing pad 16 to base 9. As shown in Fig. 3, a hand strap 25 comprises a spiral spring, and the ends thereof pass through opposed sets of aligned apertures 14, 22 and 23 to pin pad 16 to base 9. The ends of each hand strap 25 are provided with headed members 26, at least one of which is detachable. In practice it is convenient to employ a detachable headed member at each strap end, the headed member taking the form of a screw which is threaded into the convolutions of strap 25.

Where hand straps 25 are used to pin pad 16 to base 9, any suitable number of straps 25 and sets of aligned apertures 14, 22 and 23 may be employed, In the form of the invention shown, four hand straps 25 and eight cooperating sets of apertures are employed.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have devised a simple yet highly satisfactory combination of base and detachable pad for a massage device. The base flanges are unitary with the base and may be formed thereon when the base is molded. The cooperating pad also is constructed by a simple molding operation.

In assembling the pad on the base, the pad is merely slipped in place and the hand straps thereafter applied. These assembly operations may be accomplished as rapidly as desired, compared with prior, slow operations which involved cementing a pad in place on the base and waiting for the cement to dry.

When a pad becomes soiled through extended use, it may be removed easily by the operator and cleaned and replaced. If a pad wears out, it may be removed easily and replaced with a new one by the operator. Where cement is used, as formerly, it was customary to return the device to the factory for removal of the old pad and replacement with a new one.

From the above description it is thought that the construction and advantages of my invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Various changes in detail may be made without departing from the spirit or losing the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a massage device having a generally rectangular base, the combination therewith of lateral flanges extending at least from the long sides of said base near the ends thereof, each lateral flange having an aperture therethrough, a pad of resilient material on the bottom of said base and coextensive therewith, said pad having an upstanding marginal flange embracing the lower edge portion of said base, said marginal flange having normal portions overlying said lateral flanges, said pad and said normal portions having apertures aligned with the apertures in said lateral flanges, and detachable hand straps extending transversely below said pad, each strap end passing through a set of aligned apertures to pin said pad to said base in a detachable manner.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein each hand strap comprises a spiral spring, at least one spring end having a headed screw threaded therein in a detachable manner.

3. A pad for a massage device comprising a bottom portion, at least one upstanding marginal flange on said bottom portion, and a lateral flange extending inwardly from the top of said marginal'flange and spaced from said bottom portion, said bottom portion, and said lateral flange having at least one set of aligned openings therethrough to receive a detachable means for securing the pad to a massage device and to provide passage for a hand strap of the massage device.

4. In a massage device having a generally rectangular base, the combination therewith ofa lateral flange extending from said base, said lateral flange having an aperture therethrough, a pad of resilient material on the bottom of said base and generally coextensive therewith, said pad having an upstanding marginal flange and a lateral flange extending inwardly from the top of said marginal flange, said pad and said pad lateral flange having apertures aligned with the aperture in said base lateral flange, and detachable means passing through said aligned apertures to pin said pad to said base in a detachable manner.

Smith May 19, 1931 Landers June 21, 1938 

